The Railway in the Valley of the Mill
Re: The Railway in the Valley of the Mill
I can't see how you've fitted the check rail - is it a double shoe or have you sliced part off the checkrail shoes? Either way it looks great. Looking forward to seeing it progressing.
Phil
Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds
My Line - https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11077
Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds
My Line - https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11077
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Re: The Railway in the Valley of the Mill
I don't think there is much risk of it falling off, what with the check rail and the fairly level track with gentle curves. However I did try a battery loco first - and at various speeds.
The check rail is secured with special check rail chairs which have slots for both rails and at the correct distance apart. They are from Cliff Barker, as are all of the chairs, and I suppose are really intended for making points.
Trevor
The check rail is secured with special check rail chairs which have slots for both rails and at the correct distance apart. They are from Cliff Barker, as are all of the chairs, and I suppose are really intended for making points.
Trevor
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Re: The Railway in the Valley of the Mill
Been away from the forum for a few days and wow, what a sight to come back to!
A pond feeding a stream down the middle would be perfect.
A pond feeding a stream down the middle would be perfect.
Regards,
Aaron - Scum Class Works
Aaron - Scum Class Works
Re: The Railway in the Valley of the Mill
I'd be inclined to give Box a miss - I've had my 6 or so Box bushes for over 15 years, but this year they were all ravaged by the evil Box Moth, as was every other bush n Bristol it seems. It can only be a matter of time before it flutters to West Wales...
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Re: The Railway in the Valley of the Mill
Yes I thought box might not be a good idea.
Trevor
Re: The Railway in the Valley of the Mill
Sorry Trevor, I haven't been online much lately and kind of missed the fact that the Box conversation was a week ago! I'd be cautious with Thyme too, I think it likes sun, and you mentioned it was shady. Periwinkle might work, and I've got some stuff that I like called Woodrough ( or something like that), a smallish leaved ground cover plant which grows well in the shade...
I like the pond and stream idea and will watch developments with interest. I've got a sort of idea along those lines myself...
Cheers,
Andrew.
I like the pond and stream idea and will watch developments with interest. I've got a sort of idea along those lines myself...
Cheers,
Andrew.
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Re: The Railway in the Valley of the Mill
I'll talk to D about Wiidrough. We did try Periwincle some time ago and it didn't seem to like the location.Andrew wrote: ↑Sun Oct 10, 2021 6:52 pm Sorry Trevor, I haven't been online much lately and kind of missed the fact that the Box conversation was a week ago! I'd be cautious with Thyme too, I think it likes sun, and you mentioned it was shady. Periwinkle might work, and I've got some stuff that I like called Woodrough ( or something like that), a smallish leaved ground cover plant which grows well in the shade...
I like the pond and stream idea and will watch developments with interest. I've got a sort of idea along those lines myself...
Cheers,
Andrew.
Trevor
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Re: The Railway in the Valley of the Mill
While I await the delivery of more chairs I have made a start on the "Y" points for the passing loop just beyond the viaduct. This passing loop is where Dduallt station building is going to fit.
The plan downloaded from the 16mm Association website with the sleepers glued to it:
and the frog unit ready to silver solder:
I like to silver solder this part because I can then use ordinary solder to fit the wing rails to the frog without fear of the parts already assembled moving. I am using stainless steel rail, and while that is not a problem when silver soldering, it adds extra complication when using ordinary lead or lead free solder in that it requires a special flux.
The frog is in the pickling bath to remove the flux, and the wing rails are ready to fit next.
Trevor
The plan downloaded from the 16mm Association website with the sleepers glued to it:
and the frog unit ready to silver solder:
I like to silver solder this part because I can then use ordinary solder to fit the wing rails to the frog without fear of the parts already assembled moving. I am using stainless steel rail, and while that is not a problem when silver soldering, it adds extra complication when using ordinary lead or lead free solder in that it requires a special flux.
The frog is in the pickling bath to remove the flux, and the wing rails are ready to fit next.
Trevor
Last edited by Trevor Thompson on Mon Oct 11, 2021 8:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: The Railway in the Valley of the Mill
Here's what you need to know: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyl ... ry-flowers
I can see what they mean about it being invasive, but I don't think it's problematically so. A concrete trackbed seems to stop it, although it sometimes tries to creep beneath the rails - when that happens, it doesn't seem to mind being hacked back pretty hard.
Cheers,
Andrew.
Re: The Railway in the Valley of the Mill
I’ve found Sweet Woodruff really useful for ground cover, filling holes and hiding scabby bits. It’s easy and quick to cut it back (with scissors) every now and again as necessary. Here’s a healthy plantation of it (permanently in shade) in the picture below, to the left of the loco.
I’ve also planted loads of slow-growing, small-leafed Euonymus Japonicus ‘Green Spire’ (not the quick growing, potentially very much larger variants) to replace all the Box that was killed off by the beastly caterpillars. It looks very similar. The local garden centre displays it in neatly trimmed, dense, low hedges — say 25cm high — as edging to paths and so on, which I’d like to emulate. Might be useful to you?
Sorry, it's not the sharpest picture you've ever seen
Euonymus Japonicus ‘Green Spire’ (with spelling corrected)
I’ve also planted loads of slow-growing, small-leafed Euonymus Japonicus ‘Green Spire’ (not the quick growing, potentially very much larger variants) to replace all the Box that was killed off by the beastly caterpillars. It looks very similar. The local garden centre displays it in neatly trimmed, dense, low hedges — say 25cm high — as edging to paths and so on, which I’d like to emulate. Might be useful to you?
Sorry, it's not the sharpest picture you've ever seen
Euonymus Japonicus ‘Green Spire’ (with spelling corrected)
Re: The Railway in the Valley of the Mill
Warning - this is going to be an almost totally useless post!
I've just remembered that I have what I think may be the answer to your problem. The only thing is that I can't remember what it is called!
I bought 2 plants in 4" pots from a local nursery about 2 years ago and those two plants currently cover an area approx 5ft x 2ft and I have trimmed them occasionally. Really I planted them too close together and if I hadn't they would cover an even greater area. They are part in total shade and part in sun, on clay, and are thriving. They grow as a mat about 2" deep and are currently sprawing up through a couple of heathers that have got in the way. They don't flower and are just small green leaves approx 8x5mm max, with a pale centre line on stiff prostrate stems.
If they are potentially of interest, let me know and I'll pop up there and ask what they are!
I've just remembered that I have what I think may be the answer to your problem. The only thing is that I can't remember what it is called!
I bought 2 plants in 4" pots from a local nursery about 2 years ago and those two plants currently cover an area approx 5ft x 2ft and I have trimmed them occasionally. Really I planted them too close together and if I hadn't they would cover an even greater area. They are part in total shade and part in sun, on clay, and are thriving. They grow as a mat about 2" deep and are currently sprawing up through a couple of heathers that have got in the way. They don't flower and are just small green leaves approx 8x5mm max, with a pale centre line on stiff prostrate stems.
If they are potentially of interest, let me know and I'll pop up there and ask what they are!
Philip
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Re: The Railway in the Valley of the Mill
We would certainly like to know what they are called! They seem to be thriving - and that is a good starting point.philipy wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 3:59 pm Warning - this is going to be an almost totally useless post!
I've just remembered that I have what I think may be the answer to your problem. The only thing is that I can't remember what it is called!
I bought 2 plants in 4" pots from a local nursery about 2 years ago and those two plants currently cover an area approx 5ft x 2ft and I have trimmed them occasionally. Really I planted them too close together and if I hadn't they would cover an even greater area. They are part in total shade and part in sun, on clay, and are thriving. They grow as a mat about 2" deep and are currently sprawing up through a couple of heathers that have got in the way. They don't flower and are just small green leaves approx 8x5mm max, with a pale centre line on stiff prostrate stems.
DSC_0002.JPG
If they are potentially of interest, let me know and I'll pop up there and ask what they are!
Trevor
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Re: The Railway in the Valley of the Mill
I've just been told that we have some Sweet Woodruff which she has been trying to encourage - but I keep striming it! Eunymus Japonicus sounds interesting as well - I'll look out for that in our garden centre.BertieB wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 2:16 pm I’ve found Sweet Woodruff really useful for ground cover, filling holes and hiding scabby bits. It’s easy and quick to cut it back (with scissors) every now and again as necessary. Here’s a healthy plantation of it (permanently in shade) in the picture below, to the left of the loco.
I’ve also planted loads of slow-growing, small-leafed Euonymus Japonicus ‘Green Spire’ (not the quick growing, potentially very much larger variants) to replace all the Box that was killed off by the beastly caterpillars. It looks very similar. The local garden centre displays it in neatly trimmed, dense, low hedges — say 25cm high — as edging to paths and so on, which I’d like to emulate. Might be useful to you?
sweet_woodruff_1.jpg
Sorry, it's not the sharpest picture you've ever seen
Euyonmus Japonicus.jpg
Euonymus Japonicus ‘Green Spire’ (with spelling corrected)
Weed suppressing membrane and bark mulch is the answer to these plants getting strimmed - then I will know where things to avoid are.
Trevor
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Re: The Railway in the Valley of the Mill
The point is progressing:
the soldered frog and wing rails fitted:
The chairs are fitted into holes, and glued in place as well. There are 8 brass pins holding the frog in place (as well as glue).
and the outer rails temporarily fitted in place:
I positioned the outer rails using the track gauges, marked where the rails crossed the sleepers on both sides of the rail, and drilled holes central between the two pencil marks. The temporary assembly is to make sure that the holes were actually in the correct places - and that the track gauges fit easily. Proper check rail chairs to be fitted before final assembly.
Trevor
the soldered frog and wing rails fitted:
The chairs are fitted into holes, and glued in place as well. There are 8 brass pins holding the frog in place (as well as glue).
and the outer rails temporarily fitted in place:
I positioned the outer rails using the track gauges, marked where the rails crossed the sleepers on both sides of the rail, and drilled holes central between the two pencil marks. The temporary assembly is to make sure that the holes were actually in the correct places - and that the track gauges fit easily. Proper check rail chairs to be fitted before final assembly.
Trevor
Re: The Railway in the Valley of the Mill
Wanna laugh?Trevor Thompson wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 8:33 pm
We would certainly like to know what they are called! They seem to be thriving - and that is a good starting point.
I dropped the guy an email with the picture I posted here and explained that a friend was potentially interested but I can't remember what the plant is called.
This is his reply:
Hello Philip
They look like Euonymus, a particular form and we do have some to go but I cant remeber the name at the moment!
Cheers
Chris
Anyway, with Euonymous as a definite starting point it didn't take me long to track it down, although there are dozens of Euonymous fortuneii varieties. This one is " Euonymous Fortuneii "Kewensis" "
Don't know if they would be readily available in the average garden centre, but Swallows is a commercial nursery rather than a garden centre and he does mail order.
https://swallowsnursery.co.uk/
Philip
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Re: The Railway in the Valley of the Mill
Many thanks for going to all that trouble Philip
Trevor
Trevor
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Re: The Railway in the Valley of the Mill
At the Welsh Botanic Garden today in the Japanese garden I spotted Leptinella Squalida which is a low growing mat forming plant which might be suitable for the bank.
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Re: The Railway in the Valley of the Mill
I will have to look for that - its about time we visited againgilfachphil wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 8:29 pm At the Welsh Botanic Garden today in the Japanese garden I spotted Leptinella Squalida which is a low growing mat forming plant which might be suitable for the bank.
Trevor
Re: The Railway in the Valley of the Mill
It's fairly widely available. I got two at different times, but neither have survived, don't know why. It comes in two different colours, a greenish one and a dark brownish purple colour.Trevor Thompson wrote: ↑Sun Oct 17, 2021 9:23 amI will have to look for that - its about time we visited againgilfachphil wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 8:29 pm At the Welsh Botanic Garden today in the Japanese garden I spotted Leptinella Squalida which is a low growing mat forming plant which might be suitable for the bank.
Trevor
Philip
Re: The Railway in the Valley of the Mill
Looked this up and I have some, the spot in which it was planted died, but it has spread, and though difficult to see in the photo (it is the black variety) it is everywhere in just two years.philipy wrote: ↑Sun Oct 17, 2021 11:25 amIt's fairly widely available. I got two at different times, but neither have survived, don't know why. It comes in two different colours, a greenish one and a dark brownish purple colour.Trevor Thompson wrote: ↑Sun Oct 17, 2021 9:23 amI will have to look for that - its about time we visited againgilfachphil wrote: ↑Fri Oct 15, 2021 8:29 pm At the Welsh Botanic Garden today in the Japanese garden I spotted Leptinella Squalida which is a low growing mat forming plant which might be suitable for the bank.
Trevor
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